The days are getting shorter, the mercury’s creeping downwards and you’d swear you’ve not seen the sun since the Nineties. But while you’re breaking out the knitwear and eyeing the thermostat, there’s a world out there where a swimsuit and a sarong are all you’ll need. So, whether your winter wonderland looks like wandering through a sun-dappled city or staying horizontal on middle-of-the-ocean shores, here’s our pick of the best destinations for luxury winter sun holidays.
Ahangama
Sri Lanka
Kurulu Bay
Between its rainforest and coconut-fringed coast, Sri Lanka squeezes in holy cities and mist-swirled highlands, tea plantations and elephant-populated parks — not bad going for a modestly sized teardrop of an island. In winter, south-coast hotspot Ahangama is where you’ll want to be, for its sugar-soft sands, breezy surf towns and spectacular, Unesco-preserved cities. Sold? Us too.
When to go Sri Lanka’s south-west coast puts its best, flip-flop-clad foot forward between December and February. Beaches may be busier, but when you’re basking in 30°C heat, who’s bothering with a head count? If you’re aiming further north or east for the ancient cities and highlands, February is your best bet for missing the monsoon season.
Where to stay For seclusion, glorious gardens and Koggala Lake views, all in gallivanting distance of fortified, 16th-century city Galle, head to Kurulu Bay in Ahangama. Also close by is Trebartha East, the Roundhouse, a sculpted four-room stay overlooking a fragrant cinnamon estate. The circular, all-timber structure was created by Sri Lankan architect Dr Narein Perera to make the most of the riotously verdant views.
Yucatán Peninsula
Mexico
Sidestepping spring-break and the soggy season, winter stays in Mexico open up worlds of possibility. High-season crowds are pulled in by the Yucatán Peninsula’s extraordinary cenotes and jungle-fringed beaches; but don’t sleep on the inland cities, where Crayola-hued architecture, world-class cuisine and centuries of culture await under just-right-for-strolling sun.
When to go December kicks off Mexico’s dry season, with winter weather ranging from mild and sunny to siesta-worthy temps (around 25–30°C). Just pack layers for nippy desert nights.
Where to stay Wild jungle tamed by Asian minimalism? You’ll find it at Boca de Agua, a hotel that knows a thing or two about sex appeal. Ensconced within Yucatán greenery, it’s not only a temple to earthly pleasures but the earth itself. Borrowing from Japanese wabi-sabi principles and Mexican modernism, the rooms here are on four-metre stilts so as not to spoil the forest floor and have latticed timber walls so you can watch hummingbirds dance and spider monkeys swing.
Maldives
Indian Ocean
Six Senses Kanuhura
There are almost 2,000 islands in the Maldives and not a bad shout among them — each one a cliché-confirming idyll of dazzling sands, turquoise sea and seasonal-blues-banishing sun. In the face of such across-the-board appeal, you could close your eyes and point at a map, and you’d most likely land on a winner.
But it’s better to let yourself be guided by the impressive range of luxury resorts. Whether you’re after a grown-up getaway or escaping en famille, craving an eco-haven or a cool-crowd hangout, you’ll find your ‘just-right’ island stay here.
When to go In the Maldives, it’s bikini weather all-year long. December to February is the high (and dry) season, when sun-drenched days reach 30°C and the ocean temperatures hit an enticing 28°C.
Where to stay Mingle with jet-setters and taste-makers at luxury modernist resort Patina Maldives; or bring the Indian Ocean to your doorstep at Six Senses Kanuhura, spread over a trio of islands and home to six restaurants, two kids’ clubs, a sunset-facing infinity pool, orchid gardens, signature spa and more.
Turks & Caicos
Caribbean
Swaying palms, sun-baked sands and generously rum-soused cocktails: no wonder Turks & Caicos is the ‘close your eyes and imagine you’re on a beach’ poster-child for those craving sun. Each island rolls to its own distinctive rhythm, with scenes ranging from quiet coves and colonial-era towns to party hotspots and yachting havens. Winter is high season here, but, handily, many hotels have their own private coastline, so footprint-free beaches aren’t hard to come by.
When to go Let yourself be lured by long, dry days of Caribbean sunshine (and high-20s heat) from December to February. November is quieter but can still lean a little stormy.
Where to stay In Turks & Caicos, treat your winter blues with a double whammy of spa coddling and private-beach sprawling at luxury resort Amanyara. Private-island stay Como Parrot Cay has minimalist lodgings with four-poster beds, Balinese-style furniture and private sun decks for topping up your tan, along with an award-winning spa and a mile of unspoilt beach to sprawl out on.
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Bab Al Shams
The United Arab Emirates comes alive during the winter months, when the searing desert heat mellows to a far more pleasant warmth. In Dubai, the time is right for exploring the endless golden-sand dunes, where you can mount a pedigree Arabian horse, navigate the expanse on a Land Rover safari or fly up high among the falcons in a hot-air balloon.
When to go Dubai is at its best between November and March, the so-called ‘winter months’, when the city is at its buzziest and daytime temperatures tend to range between 20–25°C.
Where to stay Bab Al Shams is infused with the spirit of old Arabia. It’s only 40 minutes from Dubai, in the Margham desert, but couldn’t feel more different in character. Here, any accumulation of winter woe will vanish amid a whirl of Sufi and belly dancers, be expunged among the dunes on a camel trek, or extinguished by tales of djinns and princesses, recounted around a fire beneath the stars.
Phuket
Thailand
Between eye-candy islands and a culture-splicing capital, Thailand pulls off a tightrope walk of pulse-raising clamour and Buddha-like Zen. In Phuket, you’ll find a happy middle ground, where bar-dotted beaches give way to more peaceful sands, panther-prowled jungle dominates the hills and gilded temples tower over the towns. Should you need to top up your tranquillity after a night of full-moon festivities, the hushed shores of Koh Kradan are in easy reach.
When to go You’ll want to take Thailand on in the winter, when the weather is more sunny than sticky, and temperatures hover around a manageable 32°C.
Where to stay A far cry from the island’s backpacker haunts, Rosewood Phuket lays claim to a pristine stretch of beachfront on the Emerald Bay, which is every bit as delightful as it sounds. The resort’s sprawling pavilions and villas are dotted around the lush grounds, many overlooking the powdery beach and warm, calm waters. Kick back at one of many pools, rotate between the trio of restaurants and book in for some serious pampering at the Asaya spa, where you can pluck the herbs for your treatment straight from the garden.
Marrakech
Morocco
This Time Tomorrow in Marrakech
Bustling and beautiful, Marrakech electrifies the senses, leaving you hungry for more. The heat is fierce during the summer months, but winter is much more pleasant, when you’ll be able to stroll through the labyrinthine streets without needing to duck into the shade every few minutes. Instead, you’ll be free to focus your full attention on the sculpted mounds of spice in the souks, meeting fellow travellers over cups of Maghrebi mint tea and taking in the whirl of light, scent and frantic commerce that defines Morocco’s Red City.
When to go Conditions are ideal between September and November, when the days are warm and the nights balmy. Between December and April, it can get a little chilly after sunset, but it’s nothing a few layers won’t remedy.
Where to stay This Time Tomorrow in Marrakech might have a name that nods to the future, but stays here are all about the here and now. The hotel is a picture of cultural exchange, full of hand-chiselled zellige tiles, intricate plasterwork and colourful mosaics like its Old Medina neighbours. A resident curator is on hand to ensure your downtime is never empty, arranging for couscous-making classes, spice- merchant meet-and-greets, and creative workshops in tucked-away ateliers.
Rajasthan
India
Rugged but beautiful, frenetic yet serene: these are but two of the contrasts that characterise Rajasthan, India’s largest state. The vast Thar Desert calls to the adventurous, stretching over 77,000 square miles and home to hardy fauna like the Bengal fox, wolves, caracals and the great Indian bustard. There’s no better time to explore it than winter, when you won’t be scorched by the sun as you traverse the dunes on camelback.
The cities are another world entirely. Bustling and colourful, Jaipur and Jodhpur are famous for their respective pink and blue liveries, while Udaipur’s watery surroundings have earned it the nickname ‘City of Lakes’.
When to go High season runs from October to March, with the some of the best conditions arriving in the middle of winter, when the weather is dry, the nights are cool, and you won’t have to curtail your activities while the sun is high in the sky.
Where to stay Ruled for centuries by a succession of powerful kings, Rajasthan has an abundance of palaces and mountainous forts. You’ll live like a maharajah at Six Senses Fort Barwara, a 14th-century hilltop compound once owned by the Rajasthani Royal Family. The fort’s palatial scale means it never feels busy and easily accommodates sprawling suites, three restaurants, a supersized spa and an abundance of gardens and terraces.
Nicoya Peninsula
Costa Rica
Esh Hotel
Tucked away in its own Pacific-lapped corner of Costa Rica, the Nicoya Peninsula seduces sun-seekers with its pristine coves, beachfront villages and barrelling waves that attract savvy surfers from all over the globe. When you’ve topped up your tan, explore stalagmite-studded caves and heady ridge-top hikes in the national parks nearby.
The region is also a designated Blue Zone, a term used to describe areas where locals tend to live for longer. Tight-knit communities, an outdoorsy lifestyle and even the calcium-rich water supply are all touted as reasons — but whatever it is, we couldn’t think of a better place to escape to over the chilly months.
When to go The most popular time to visit is the dry season, running from December until April, when the skies are clear and the temperatures consistently warm. If you’re a keen surfer, you might want to go a little earlier, between October and November, when the swells tend to be bigger.
Where to stay Make a beeline for Esh Hotel, a meditative retreat on the peninsula’s jungle-fringed coast. The architecture and interiors borrow from Brutalism and wabi-sabi principles, using natural light and the hotel’s jungly frame to spectacular effect. Stays here lean into the region’s healthful ways, with guided meditations, daily yoga classes and sauna sessions available to zap stress and boost serotonin. The surf at nearby Playa Guiones is world class, too — the hotel’s beach shuttle will have you on the sand in 15 minutes flat.
Dominica
Caribbean
Dominica is a little different from most Caribbean islands. Nicknamed the ‘nature island’, it’s a perfect match for those who like to get off the beaten track, and is better known for its lush forests, plunging waterfalls and placid lakes than beach resorts or happy hours. It’s also one of the few places in the Caribbean that still has a sizeable indigenous population, the Kalinago, so there’s plenty of local culture to explore, too.
When to go You’ll want to wait until November to explore Dominica, as hurricane season can last well into October. From December onwards, the temperature tends to hover around 30°C and the conditions are prime for spotting whales and other marine life. If you’re after a livelier atmosphere, time your trip to coincide with the Real Mas carnival in February.
Where to stay The team behind Secret Bay knows a thing or two about dramatic settings. For this Dominica hotel, they built 23 villas from sustainably-sourced tropical hardwoods, all of which are arranged along a forest-swathed cliff on the island’s Caribbean coast. Look over your terrace and you’ve got scenic beaches, glass-clear water and technicolour reefs. Turn to the island’s interior, and it’s all jungle, volcanic peaks and lava craters. The rugged nature is balanced by the level of luxury: you’ll be catered to by villa hosts, expert guides, private chefs (for a charge) and more.
Find out where else to check in this season with our full collection of winter sun stays